In this episode of The Shoulder Physio Podcast, Dr Jared Powell sits down with Dr Mervyn Travers, physiotherapist, S&C coach, and researcher, to explore one of the most compelling frameworks in contemporary pain science: active inference.
They discuss how this predictive brain model helps explain persistent musculoskeletal pain, why traditional exercise-based interventions might miss the mark, and how clinicians can use movement and context to shift a patient’s pain experience. Merv blends philosophy, neuroscience, and clinical pragmatism in a way that's accessible, challenging, and highly relevant.
Key talking points:
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What is active inference and how does it relate to predictive processing?
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The role of prior beliefs, culture, and clinical language in shaping pain
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Movement experimentation as a tool for model updating and recovery
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Why it’s time to rethink how we prescribe exercise in pain rehab
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Clinical implications from landmark studies within the field that lend themselves to active inference
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A call for compassion, curiosity, and nuance in patient care
Connect with Jared and guests:
Jared on Instagram: @shoulder_physio
Jared on X: @jaredpowell12
Merv website: Home - Optimise Rehab
Merv X: @mervtravers
Merv Instagram: @optimise_rehab
See our Disclaimer here: The Shoulder Physio - Disclaimer
